Enhanced laser skin treatment mechanism
First Claim
1. A system for resurfacing skin comprising:
- a) a laser adapted to emit a laser beam against a skin site of a patient; and
,b) a bathing means for immersing the skin site in an oxygen replacing gas;
wherein said bathing means includes a containment mechanism securable to the skin of the patient and adapted to encircle said skin site, and wherein said containment mechanism encapsulates said skin site, said containment mechanism having a laser permeable window therein.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical apparatus particularly adapted for use in the cosmetic surgery field of skin resurfacing in which a laser is directed towards the imperfection of the skin. The surgical site is bathed with an inert or noble gas which has the affect of replacing the oxygen in the surgical site. Without the oxygen, burning of the surrounding tissue from the laser is minimized. This results in a reduced recuperation time and less pain associated with the procedure. In one embodiment of the invention, a "basin" is created to hold the inert gas; in another embodiment, the inert gas is "sprayed" in line with the laser against the surgical site. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the surgical site is encapsulated and the inert gas in inserted into the capsule. A window in the capsule permits the laser to be used in the now oxygen poor environment within the capsule. Once the surgery is completed, the inert gas is removed from the capsule and a sterile gas adapted to encourage healing (i.e. an oxygen rich gas), in injected into the capsule.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for resurfacing skin comprising:
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a) a laser adapted to emit a laser beam against a skin site of a patient; and
,b) a bathing means for immersing the skin site in an oxygen replacing gas; wherein said bathing means includes a containment mechanism securable to the skin of the patient and adapted to encircle said skin site, and wherein said containment mechanism encapsulates said skin site, said containment mechanism having a laser permeable window therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A skin treatment combination comprising:
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a) a reservoir of noble gas; b) a bathing apparatus adapted to bathe a surgical site with noble gas from said reservoir; and
,c) a hand-held laser selectively emitting a laser beam at a selected intensity against said surgical site; wherein said bathing apparatus includes a containment mechanism having a laser permeable window, said containment mechanism being securable and sealable to skin of the patient and adapted to encapsulate said skin site. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A surgical apparatus comprising a body member adapted to be grasped by a surgeon, said body member having attached thereto:
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a) a reservoir of noble gas; b) a bathing apparatus adapted to bathe a surgical site with noble gas from said reservoir; c) a laser selectively emitting a laser beam at a selected intensity against said surgical site; and
,d) a surgeon-operatable switch adapted to activate said bathing apparatus and said laser, wherein said bathing apparatus includes a containment mechanism having a laser permeable window, said containment mechanism being securable and sealable to skin of the patient and adapted to encapsulate said skin site. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification